DECEMBER 2019 MONTHLY MEETING Monday, December 9th The Sarasota Audubon Society Nature Center Open daily 9:00am-1:00pm Click Through This Issue! :: MONTHLY MEETING :: SAS 2019-20 SCHEDULE :: SAS ACTIVITIES THE MYSTERY AND MAGIC OF :: CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS SARASTOA'S SWALLOW-TAILED :: FOR THE BIRDS :: WRITE THE EDITOR KITES - PART TWO :: RENEW MEMBERSHIP :: CONSERVATION Margi Haas, Citizen Scientist and Kite Fanatic will :: VOLUNTEER continue her discussions about Swallow-tailed Kites. :: WHAT'S NEW AT THE NC :: SAS GIFT SHOP Social Hour: 6:30pm :: SPOONBILL CLUB Business Meeting: 7:00pm :: SAS COMMEMORATIVE BRICKS Presentation: 7:30pm :: SUBMIT AN ARTICLE :: SAS WEB SITE First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall 2031 S. Euclid, Sarasota VICTORY FOR THE QUADS! ******** CLICK -> MONTHLY MEETING PROGRAMS ******* Pre-Monthly Meeting Dinner All Members Welcome! Gecko's Restaurant 1900 Hillview Ave 5:00pm Contact Karen Jensen ([email protected]) 2019-2020 ACTIVITY SCHEDULE CLICK FOR COMPLETE SCHEDULE SCHEDULE An Astounding Outcome! On November 6, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners of Sarasota County approved a conservation easement for 3 of the 4 Quad parcels SAS ACTIVITIES at the corners of Palmer Blvd and Apex/Coburn Roads in the Celery CLICK --> COMPLETE SCHEDULE Fields. We were thrilled and amazed. Thanks to Fresh Start for all of their efforts towards this combined and important step for the environment. GUIDED WALKS In partnership with the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Our SAS guided walks are led by some of our most Sarasota Audubon will work to, in effect, extend the Celery Fields knowledgeable and experienced birders. Come along another 30+ acres, creating a buffer zone for birds and wildlife to thrive, with us! and setting aside areas for low impact public use. Suggested donation for walks and tours: $2 members, $4 Next Steps? non-members. No reservations are necessary unless Well, this is going to entail working with multiple county departments noted. over many months, possibly even a year. The departments include: Planning and Development Services Department (includes Property Tuesday, December 3rd Management Division, Environmental Protection Division, and MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK Planning and Zoning Division) 8:15am. Meet at the first parking lot on the right after the Public Works Department (includes Transportation and main entrance (off SR 72). Park opens 8am, fee. BRING Stormwater) Public Utilities Department LUNCH or TRY THE PARK's CAFE. Leaders are Stu Wilson Parks Recreation and Natural Resources Department (512-897-8341) and John Ginaven Office of the County Attorney and County Administration. How will this be paid for? OSCAR SCHERER PARK WALKS In exchange for the conservation easement (which is forever!), Sarasota Audubon and the Conservation Foundation have pledged to raise funds 8:30am. Every Thursday, Nov 7-Mar 26: Meet inside park at for the restoration and for a future maintenance fund. It will certainly be Lake Osprey/Nature Center (opens 8:00am, fee). On the worth it if we can protect the existing Celery Fields with this buffer and 1st and 2nd Thursday walks the leader is Peter Brown (508- extend habitat for woodland birds. 2415541). On the 3rd, 4th and 5th Thursday walks the We have already set up a fund for this purpose. You can contribute to leader is Joyce Leary (508-737-8954). this once in our lifetime environmental milestone at www.sarasotaaudubon.org/product/donate-sas-quad-fund/ CELERY FIELDS WALKS First Mondays - "PM Birding" Many thanks for helping to keep the shrinking natural environment alive and viable right here in Sarasota County. The time is now! Jan 6, Feb 3 and Mar 2. 3:00pm-5:00pm. Meet at the Nature Center. Leader is Margi Haas [email protected] Jeanne Dubi, Acting President, Sarasota Audubon Society Third Mondays Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 16: 8-10am: Meet at Raymond Rd Boardwalk. Leader is Peter Brown (508-241-5541) Fourth Mondays Dec 23, Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar 23. 9:00am- 11:00am. Leader is Joyce Leary (508-737-8954) Third Thursdays IT'S TIME.... Jan 16, Feb 20, March 19. 8:00am. Leader is the SAS Survey Team [email protected] Second Saturdays Dec 14, Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 14, Apr 11: 8-10am. Meet at Nature Center. Leader is Peter Brown (508-241-5541) NATURE CENTER GARDEN TOURS Fourth Saturdays Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 28, Apr 25, 9:30am- 11:30am. With Master Gardener Jan McLaughlin, enjoy our evolving subtropical garden, designed to attract migratory & resident birds, butterflies and TO RENEW YOUR ANNUAL SAS moths. MEMBERSHIP! CELERY FIELDS ACTIVITIES Click Here to Join or Renew Online $30.00 per member/family December SIDEWALK ASTRONOMY - December 7th SIDEWALK ASTRONOMY - December 7th Mail a check payable to: Sarasota Audubon Society 5:30pm. Deep Sky Observers www.lgdso.com will set up Address: SAS, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL 34240 telescopes at the SAS Nature Center for star and planet gazing! Don't Know if You Renewed? Check with Lynn Jakubowicz VOLUNTEER FOR SAS - December 14th [email protected] 10:00am-12:00pm at the Nature Center. Learn about volunteer opportunities with SAS and how to apply. [email protected] Other BOARDWALKS At Palmer Blvd and Raymond Rd boardwalks, a SAS Celery Fields Bird Naturalist is on duty every day, Nov 1-Apr 30 from 8:30am - 10:30am. CELERY FIELDS CLEANUPS Help keep Palmer blvd and our area trash free! Wednesdays at 9:00am: Jan 15, Mar 11 & Apr 15 SIDEWALK ASTRONOMY Deep Sky Observers www.lgdso.com will set up telescopes at the Nature Center for star and planet gazing! Saturday: February 29th, 6:30pm VOLUNTEER FOR SAS Saturday, February 8th, 10:00am-12:00pm at the Nature Center. Learn about volunteer opportunities with SAS and how to apply. [email protected] VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION Saturday, April 4th, 5:00pm-7:00pm, Nature Center. All SAS volunteers invited! [email protected] GARDEN WORKDAYS Sunday, February 9th: 8:30am-11:00am. Help the Temple Emanuel garden volunteers at our mid-winter spruce-up. [email protected] SPECIAL EVENTS December Thursday, December 5 WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THAT TOILET WATER? 9:00am. Join us as we visit a Sarasota County Wastewater Treatment facility including a tour of the operational lab. RESERVATION REQUIRED-SPACE IS LIMITED. Contact Kathryn Young [email protected] Meet at McDonald's, Bee Ridge/Cattlemen Saturday, December 7 MEMBER CRAFT EVENT 9:00am-1:00pm Nature Center picnic area. SAS members will display and sell nature-related crafts. [email protected] Monday, December 16 MYAKKA PARK CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT Belinda Perry - [email protected] Other Saturday, January 4 SAS CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT CONSERVATION SAS CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT CONSERVATION Stu Wilson - [email protected] Saturdays, January 11 & 18 'WINGSPAN' THE BOARD GAME 3:30pm - 5:30pm."WINGSPAN" Learn to play this wildly popular birdy board game! Space is limited. REGISTER ONLINE. $5 per person, per session. Nature Center. Harma Nyhof [email protected] Article from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Saturday, February 1 Commission: Gov. DeSantis' Bolder, Brighter, Better Future budget MEMBER ART AND PHOTO SHOW recommendations continue to support conservation A month long exhibit of our members' art and photography. Opening Reception 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Nature Center. initiatives [email protected] CLICK --> TO READ MORE Saturdays, February 1 & 8 EAGLE NEST TOURS 8:00am - 12:00pm. Visit active nests with Dale Nauman, Cost $30. REGISTER ONLINE. February 1st trip leader, Harma Nyhof [email protected]. February 8th trip leader, Barry Gerber [email protected]. Monday, March 23, Tuesday, April 7: ROBERTS BAY ROOKERY BOAT TOURS 1:00pm-3:00pm. REGISTER ONLINE. Cost $30. Harma Nyhof - [email protected] CLICK ---> REGISTER ONLINE SAS CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS We are pleased to offer another season of Karen Willey has been named the Climate Change point person for the educational and inspiring classes and workshops. Sarasota Audubon Society. As such, she will field queries related to climate change, educate members with information and articles, and WORKSHOPS foster hope for local solutions. These 1.5 hour workshops provide a wealth of In this role, Karen will be leading a series of Climate Walks starting in information on a variety of topics. Meet at the Nature January. Each walk will be at a different park in Manatee or Sarasota Center at 1:30pm. $5.00 Donation. No registration County and highlight a particular local aspect of climate change. required; Pay at the door. CLICK ---> DESCRIPTION & LOCATION OF CLIMATE WALKS WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS & SCHEDULE The purpose of the walks is to get folks talking about this issue that we are all aware of, and in making the conversations normal, creating a CLASSES wave of support for local solutions. Check out this season's interesting selection of classes; eBird, Everything About Birds and Tai Chi. Online Join one or more of the walks and you just might learn something! Registration Required REGISTER --> CLIMATE WALKS CLASS DESCRIPTIONS & SCHEDULE CLASS REGISTRATION Questions? Contact: Kathryn Young [email protected] VOLUNTEER FOR SAS - DECEMBER 14, 2019 10:00am-12:00pm. Learn about volunteering for the many interesting activities at SAS and how to apply. SAS Nature Center. Email: [email protected] FLORIDA SCRUB JAY FESTIVAL - JANUARY 11, 2020 MYAKKA RIVER PARK CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT SAS plans to participate in the Florida Scrub Jay Festival December 16th Contact: Belinda Perry ([email protected]) sponsored by Oscar Scherer Park on January 11, 2020. Volunteers needed to staff our booth. Register now on Volgistics or Email: [email protected] SAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT January 4th Contact: Stu Wilson ([email protected]) SAS CELERY FIELDS BIRD NATURALISTS ON THE JOB TRIP REPORT Our SAS Celery Fields Bird Naturalists (CFBNs) have been valiantly staffing the boardwalks every morning since November 1st, in sometimes LONGBOAT KEY SHOREBIRDS cold, rainy and windy weather.